Dakota Wesleyan University vs South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Dakota Wesleyan University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, two distinct institutions of higher learning in South Dakota, offer unique educational experiences tailored to different academic aspirations. Dakota Wesleyan, a private liberal arts university, boasts a welcoming community with a focus on personalized attention and a well-rounded education. In contrast, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, a public research university, emphasizes STEM fields and prepares students for careers in science, engineering, and technology. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, their acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates vary significantly. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Dakota Wesleyan University |
![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Mitchell, South Dakota | Rapid City, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 71.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.7% | 80.5% |
Application fees | $110 |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 860 - 1100 | 1155 - 1355 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 60.0% | 84.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,047 | 1,445 |
Total number of admissions given out | 793 | 1,163 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 169 | 489 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 42.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,080 |
In state:
$29,330
Out of state:
$33,750
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Average net price | $21,830 | $19,257 |
Tuition | $29,700 |
In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,350
Meal plan:
$4,200
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Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $18,033 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
92.0%
Average amount $5,049 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
Students taking out private loans |
26.0%
Average amount $13,323 |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
770
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
Graduate students |
156
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 63.0% |
International students | 1.1% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 520 | 1,082 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.9% | 52.3% |
Dropout rate | 38.3% | 35.2% |
Transferred out | 6.9% | 7.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
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